Sam Vincent appointed as 2025 Basketball Africa League Combine Camp Director

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) has named Sam Vincent, 1986 NBA champion and Olympian, as Camp Director for the 2025 BAL Combine. The prestigious three-day event will take place from January 10 to 12, 2025, at the Ibn Yassine Omnisports Hall in Rabat, Morocco.

The BAL Combine will bring together over 30 aspiring players from across Africa, Europe, the U.S., and other regions. These athletes will showcase their skills to scouts, coaches, and basketball enthusiasts. Coaches who participated in the Africa Coaches Program at the NBA 2K25 Summer League in Las Vegas will serve on Vincent’s staff, providing expert guidance during the event.

Sam Vincent [photo credit: Sam Vincent Instagram]

A Champion with a Vision

BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall expressed his excitement about Vincent’s appointment:

“We are thrilled to have Sam Vincent join us as BAL Combine Camp Director ahead of our pivotal BAL milestone fifth season. Sam has been an active and integral part of our basketball development efforts in Africa, including the inaugural 2003 Africa 100 Camp. His vast experience as a professional player, National Team Head Coach, and NBA Head Coach will be invaluable assets for Combine players, coaches, and our league.”

Vincent’s illustrious basketball career includes playing for iconic NBA teams such as the Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, Chicago Bulls, and Orlando Magic during his seven-year professional career. Transitioning into coaching in 1992, Vincent has made significant contributions across national teams in Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Notably, Vincent coached Nigeria’s women’s national team at the 2004 Athens Olympics, leading them to Africa’s first-ever victory in Olympic women’s basketball. He also guided Nigeria’s men’s national team to the second round of the 2006 FIBA World Championship, showcasing his knack for elevating African basketball on the global stage.

The 2025 BAL Season: A Milestone Year

The 2025 BAL season, marking its fifth year, is set to commence on April 5, 2025, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco. This milestone season will culminate with the BAL Finals on June 14, 2025, at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, making history as the first BAL Finals to be held in South Africa.

The 2025 season will feature 12 elite club teams from 12 African nations competing in 48 games across four cities: Rabat (Morocco), Dakar (Senegal), Kigali (Rwanda), and Pretoria (South Africa).